Saturday, August 29, 2009

I'm back in the driver's seat - my Mac had to be rushed to the hospital and of course I am reminded of how vital this machine is to my existence. The good thing - I had no choice but to get caught up with long-neglected chores. And I've been helping out with plans for an upcoming 30th high school reunion. Yes, 30 years.

Since the summer is coming to an end, I squeezed in this new painting - a young lady enjoying a good book in the sunshine on the beach of Hilton Head Island.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Before I forget to mention ..... I've finally found the best brand for white and black. I've never been thrilled with any of the many brands I've tried. Made by Daniel Smith Artist Materials, it's their Titanium White - the Ivory Black and the Lamp Black are great too. Thought I'd pass that along.

This new painting is a glimpse into my day. When I have my cup of coffee and my crossword puzzle, all is right with the world.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

You haven't seen much action from me recently - due to my diligent efforts to paint two pieces for the Charleston Art Auction, which takes place in early November. I went through several tries before I got it right. Pretty frustrating. Nevertheless, they're done and I'm thrilled with both. You'll see them closer to the auction date.

It was nice to pick up a small panel and loosen up with this new painting - from the Delaware Museum of Art, where a patron stands before one of my favorite paintings by Howard Pyle titled 'Marooned Pirate', a fairly simple scene yet profoundly beautiful.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

19 years ago, in the final weeks of his life, my father was taken care of by the Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, a cancer hospice here in Atlanta. They operate solely on private donations - and I am forever grateful for the help and compassion they gave my dad and our family.

This new painting, a crisp October day in Central Park, New York City, where all kinds of people were enjoying the sun and the shade - will be on auction starting this evening, with 100% of the final sale donated to the Sisters of Our Lady.

Monday, August 3, 2009

I started this guy thinking I'd play with the skin colors I so admire in Michelle Torrez's work - that acidity green/orange is incredible. Instead, I got lost in the many reds, the folds, the waves, the aquas, purples, blues and yellows. An enjoyable painting session nonetheless.

Quoting Frank Costanza (as I often do), this man was enjoying a Serenity Now moment in the ocean waters of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

These days, I'm able to spend more time experimenting with my paints - which doesn't always mean I have something to show you. In fact, I've been juggling a couple of paintings for days and they're still in limbo. If I begin a piece with the finished painting in my head, most likely, I won't stop until it's done. Lately, I'm sorta leaving it up to fate, or luck, to see if my right hand will lead the way to something unexpected. It's like abandoning the recipe and grabbing what you have in the pantry - sometimes it works, sometimes it's awful. I encourage that every now and then. You never know what you'll learn.

I did start with a plan this morning - the current challenge I assigned on my Different Strokes From Different Folks blog - and I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to get what was in my head. But I did. Today flowed. Yay.

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"You should keep on painting no matter how difficult it is, because this is all part of experience, and the more experience you have, the better it is... unless it kills you, and then you know you have gone too far."~ Alice Neel

"If I had the energy, I would have done it all over the country"- Edward Hopper

"It's what you carry to an object that counts."- Andrew Wyeth

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"When I'm old and gray, I want to have a house by the sea. And paint. With a lot of wonderful chums, good music, and booze around. And a damn good kitchen to cook in."